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Government Investment in Life Sciences Extends to Mobile

In March 2011, the Prime Minister unveiled his Plan for Growth, committing the government to open up information within the NHS. As part of this plan information about clinical trials would be made easily accessible to those with an interest in the trials; whether this be patients, carers, clinicians, academics, researchers or pharmaceutical professionals.

The Brief:

As part of the Plan for Growth, The UK Clinical Trials Team at the Department of Health required a mobile solution that would allow information to be disseminated to the public; giving patients greater control of their health and those with an active interest in the trials access to key information on the move.

The Solution:

AlwaysOnMessage created an App containing key information about Clinical Trials that would meet the Government’s objectives. AlwaysOnMessage also recommended that the App should be released on all the major mobile platforms, with iPhone / iPad first to ensure audience uptake whilst minimising initial delivery times.

Specifically, AlwaysOnMessage recognised that the data powering the App would need to be presented in such a manner that participants with varying degrees of mobile fluency could search, find and apply to take part in a trial in a fluent, simplistic fashion.

Therefore the final App allowed users to search the App for particular illnesses and access information including public title, trial identifying number, location, recruitment status and registration date. The data presented in the App can then be used to further conversations with GPs about trials open to a patient thus giving patients greater control over their health.

Specific challenges:

• How can ‘small screen’ be utilised to present text-based information in an engaging and accessible format?
• How can an App present data from more than one source into a cohesive and logical UX?
• With constantly changing data and updated information, how can Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) be minimised?

The Results:

Immediately on launch, the App was mentioned on Sky News and in a Q&A session with the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley. Additionally, the Disease Networks have received the App positively and have began to promote it to their communities for further usage.

Reviews:

iTunes:
“Useful and simple app. Very easy to navigate, with up to date info on clinical trials in the UK”

“Excellent app. This app changed my life for the better.”

Additional Info:

For more information, visit the National Institute for Health Research: New Strategy for UK Life Sciences